Community and Culture Committee - Tuesday 8 September 2026

Topics

• Central Coast transitional housing changes backed as Homes NSW funding falls
  Council supported changes to the Transitional Housing Model while warning that reduced Homes NSW funding will affect local social-housing availability.
  The decision could change the financial and management arrangements for transitional housing and influence the region’s capacity to retain social-housing places.
• $2 million grant to fund Gosford–Erina placemaking and lighting works
  Council backed delivery of a $2 million Transport for NSW-funded project linking Gosford CBD and Erina Creek.
  Residents, businesses and visitors may see construction activity and changes to public-space amenity and lighting through March 2028.
• Council proposes $30,000 for 2027 Edogawa delegation visit
  The Committee recommended a $30,000 allocation in 2027/28 for a proposed visit by the Mayor of Edogawa and a delegation.
  The proposal is a specific future Council expenditure and will interest residents tracking international partnerships and discretionary spending.

Decisions

• Homelessness prevention update noted
  The Committee noted an update on homelessness prevention and intervention initiatives under the Central Coast Affordable and Alternative Housing Strategy.
  Provides oversight of programs intended to prevent homelessness and support people at risk of housing insecurity.
• Gosford CBD to Erina Creek project supported
  The Committee recommended that Council endorse delivery of the Gosford CBD to Erina Creek Placemaking and Lighting Project, funded by a $2 million NSW Government Transport for NSW reVITALise Legacy Grant. Delivery is scheduled from July 2026 to March 2028.
  The project is expected to improve public-space amenity and lighting along the Gosford-to-Erina corridor.
• Edogawa delegation planning and funding endorsed
  The Committee supported continued planning and liaison with the City of Edogawa for a proposed Mayor Saito and delegation visit to the Central Coast in November 2027, and recommended allocating $30,000 from the 2027/28 financial year.
  Creates a future Council expenditure commitment for an international sister-city visit and related activities.
• Transitional Housing Model changes supported
  The Committee received the report, noted reduced Homes NSW Community Leasehold Program funding and its impact on social-housing availability, and supported changes to the Transitional Housing Model’s commercial terms, including aligning Council rental income with social-housing rent settings and increasing the managing agency commission rate. The Committee noted the model’s financial sustainability and positive social and economic returns.
  The changes are intended to retain social-housing capacity on the Central Coast while maintaining the model’s financial sustainability.
• Community Awards judge appointed
  The Committee appointed Duncan Bennet as the community member judge for the 2027 Central Coast Community Awards Judging Panel, with full voting rights.
  The appointment supports the process for assessing community award nominations.
• ALGWA Conference 2027 planning continued
  The Committee noted planning progress for the 2027 Australian Local Government Women’s Association Conference, received future planning updates as a standing item, and recommended continued coordination through the established cross-functional planning committee.
  The conference will require continued Council planning and coordination, although no new funding amount was stated.

Discussion

• Housing and homelessness
  The Committee reviewed homelessness prevention initiatives and the operation of the Transitional Housing Model, including the effect of reduced Homes NSW funding on local social-housing availability.
  Housing supply, homelessness responses and the future capacity of transitional housing directly affect people seeking secure and affordable accommodation.
• Gosford–Erina placemaking and lighting
  A $2 million Transport for NSW grant will fund the Gosford CBD to Erina Creek Placemaking and Lighting Project, with delivery planned between July 2026 and March 2028.
  Residents, pedestrians, businesses and visitors may experience construction activity and later improvements to public spaces and lighting.
• Lake Haven Library safety
  The Committee received a verbal update on anti-social behaviour at Lake Haven Library. The extracted minutes do not state a new decision or specific service change.
  Library users and staff may be affected by safety and behaviour-management measures, but the meeting record provides no confirmed new action.
• Edogawa sister-city visit
  Planning will continue for a proposed November 2027 visit by the Mayor of Edogawa and a delegation, supported by a proposed $30,000 allocation in 2027/28.
  The visit represents a future expenditure and an ongoing international community relationship.

Impacts

• A $2 million external grant will support placemaking and lighting works between Gosford CBD and Erina Creek from July 2026 to March 2028.
• Changes to the Transitional Housing Model may alter Council rental and management arrangements while aiming to preserve local social-housing capacity.
• Reduced Homes NSW Community Leasehold Program funding may limit social-housing availability on the Central Coast.
• Council plans to allocate $30,000 in 2027/28 for the proposed Edogawa delegation visit.
• No specific new safety measure or service change for Lake Haven Library was recorded in the extracted text.

Places

• Central Coast (region)
  Location of the homelessness, transitional housing, community awards, Edogawa relationship and ALGWA conference matters.
• Gosford CBD (town centre)
  Western end of the Gosford CBD to Erina Creek Placemaking and Lighting Project.
• Erina Creek (waterway/project area)
  Project corridor for the funded placemaking and lighting works.
• Erina (suburb/project area)
  Eastern area identified in the Gosford CBD to Erina Creek project.
• Lake Haven Library (library)
  Facility subject to the anti-social behaviour update.
• Woy Woy (suburb)
  Location of 21 new affordable/social housing units being delivered through the Housing Australia Future Fund, as referenced in the transitional housing discussion.
• Edogawa (city)
  Japanese sister city whose mayor and delegation are proposed to visit the Central Coast in November 2027.

Next

• Continue planning and liaison with the City of Edogawa for the proposed delegation visit.
  Through to the proposed November 2027 visit.
• Progress the Gosford CBD to Erina Creek Placemaking and Lighting Project under the Transport for NSW funding deed.
  July 2026 to March 2028.
• Implement supported commercial and management changes to the Transitional Housing Model, subject to Council processes.
  Not specified in the extracted minutes.
• Continue planning for the ALGWA Conference 2027 and report progress as a standing item.
  Until completion of the conference.
• Convene the 2027 Central Coast Community Awards judging panel with Duncan Bennet as the community member judge.
  For the 2027 awards process.

Extract

OFFICIAL Central Coast Council MINUTES of the Community and Culture Committee Meeting held in Function Room 2 2 Hely Street, Wyong Tuesday 8 September 2026 Member Present Cr Margot Castles, Chairperson Present Cr Trent McWaide, Deputy Chairperson Apology Cr Kyla Daniels, Member Present (remotely) Cr John McNamara, Member Present (remotely) Cr Sharon Walsh, Member Present (remotely) Cr Kyle MacGregor, Member Present Mayor Lawrie McKinna Apology Councillor Guests Status Cr Doug Eaton OAM Present Council Officers Status Mel Smith, Director Community and Recreation Services Present Beth Burgess, Unit Manager Community and Culture Present (remotely) Samantha Cummins, Unit Manager Civic Services...